Freshman center Tyrone Coley works in the post against the Seward defense. Coley finished with nine points and nine rebounds for the night. Marissa Ramirez

Raymond Hoare
Student Sports Media

The men’s basketball team faced off against the Seward County Saints. Butler looked to extend their 7-game winning streak, but this game would test the Grizzlies. Butler opened conference play against the Saints, who beat the Grizzlies twice last season.

The Grizzlies would not have freshman point guard Juwan White, Wednesday night, as freshman point guard Jon’il Fugett would fill the need.

As the game tipped off, the Saints made a layup, giving them a 2-0 to start the game. Butler responded fast as sophomore foward Tyrone Coley buried a dunk, pumping up the crowd and forcing the Saints to call a timeout.

While Butler had the edge in the first few minutes, the Saints shut out the Grizzlies for a while, making Butler force up threes and contested shots. Butler struggled to score for a while, giving the Saints a 27-18 lead.

In the second half, Butler went on a 12-24 run for about seven minutes. This made a difference on offense and as well slowed the Saints down.

Coley recorded nine points, nine rebounds and three steals against in the game.
Freshman shooting guard Jaden Lee added 14 points and five rebounds of his own.

Butler put the game on ice as freshman forward Daviyon Dennis, adding 14 points, and 11 rebounds while going 7-10 from the free throw line, helping the Grizzlies overcome a nine-point game deficit, beating the Seward Saints, 60-53.

“For [Dennis] today to step up today like that man, that really warms my heart, it really does… a character-building moment for us,” Assistant Coach Daven Vo said.

As for Dennis, added minutes helped him perform, escalating the Grizzlies’ play in the second half.

“It feels good to come in, first conference game and come out with a win,” Dennis said. “Coach told us ‘When conference play starts, we are going to have to step it up a notch’ and that’s what I tried to do.”

Butler outscored Seward 42-26 in the second half.

The Grizzlies were much improved on the boards, grabbing 49 rebounds in the game, 38 defensively and 11 on offense.

Butler extended their winning streak to eight games, making their record 8-2.
The Grizzlies continued their conference season Saturday, Dec.1, when they host Colby Community College.